Kittitas Co., WA (May 18, 2026) – A 21-year-old Yakima man died, and a 19-year-old woman was injured after a two-car crash south of Ellensburg on Sunday, May 17. The crash happened before 7:00 p.m. on State Route 821 at milepost 16.
Officials said the crash involved a southbound car and a northbound pickup truck. The vehicles collided along a curved stretch of the highway.
The driver of the car died at the scene, and his name was not released in the initial report. A 19-year-old Yakima woman riding as a passenger in the car was flown to Kadlec Regional Medical Center for treatment. The driver and passenger in the pickup truck were not injured.
The highway was closed while crews worked at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
Our condolences go out to the man’s loved ones, and we are thinking of the injured passenger.
Crash Risks on Curved Highway Sections
Curved highway sections can be dangerous because drivers might have less time to see oncoming traffic, hazards, or changes in the roadway. Speed, weather, lighting, and road shape can all affect how a vehicle moves through a curve.
Two-vehicle crashes on rural highways can cause severe injuries because vehicles may be traveling at higher speeds. A collision between vehicles moving in opposite directions can create a strong impact.
After a serious highway crash, medical teams often check for head injuries, broken bones, chest trauma, and internal injuries. Helicopter transport could be used when a patient needs faster access to advanced hospital care.
